Well, I got up this morning at 4:30, packed my shit and drove to Hiawassee for the Circle the Bald bike ride. It was 37 miles and there wasn’t a flat mile in the whole thing. I had to walk my bike a few times, but I finished it. My legs are like lead right now. Some highlights: I got to ride up the steepest road I’ve ever seen, Owl Creek Rd, which is right beside Brasstown Bald. I thought I’d made it to the top, rounded the corner, and saw a horrible sight. The road seemed to go on forever, and there were many people walking their bikes up it. I soon joined them. my legs were wobbly. My frickin face was wobbly after trying to climb that. Aside from that, and a few other steep roads, things went well. If my legs were stronger, i’d have had a better day. On the plus side, the descent was frickin awesome.
I’d intended to stay and watch the TdG stage today, but I was so tired and wet from getting rained on all day, that I just packed up and left. I missed an epic race, with Jason McCartney taking King of the Mountain and Tom Danielson edging out Floyd for the win but not by enough to take the leaders jersey. Popovych had a good day coming in right behind those two, with none other than Cesar Grajales, the pride of Athens, coming in 4th.